New Eagle Village library has generations of family ties

Published 8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Eagle Village dedicated the new Jacob E. and H. Maude House Memorial Library and Media Center last Thursday.

Her great-grandfather wanted to start a library for the kids at Eagle Village. Now, Tricia Eichholtz, plans to fill the library shelves.

Eagle Village dedicated the new Jacob E. and H. Maude House Memorial Library and Media Center last Thursday. The library was funded in part by the late Robert J. House, of Midland, and named in honor of his parents who were from Marion.

Eagle Village is a nonprofit organization serving children and families for over 37 years. Children in the Residential Treatment Program at Eagle Village have a distinct academic advantage while receiving help. Ashmun School, located on campus, allows residents in the program to continue their education. Credits earned at Ashmun School may be transferred to any Michigan school.

Last October, a memorial service was held to honor Robert J. House. During a luncheon following the service, family members began talking about book donations, and a new chapter began.

One of the House descendants, Eichholtz, 15, volunteered to clean out her bookshelves and share the books with the kids at Eagle Village. Eichholtz attends Ladywood High School, a private, girls' Catholic prep school in Livonia.

As a Girl Scout, she and other family members discussed the idea of donating books as a project that could be turned into a Girl Scout Gold Award Project.

According to Girl Scout Gold Award Advisor Juliet Culp, the project must be something extraordinary.

"It must include all the qualities that Girl Scouts has instilled in her: leadership, organization, time management, delegation, serving the community, and developing a well thought-out plan," Culp said.

Eichholtz's mother, Debbie Eichholtz, said the idea of collecting books was inspired by the kids at Eagle Village.

House's daughter and Tricia Eichholtz's grandmother, Cinda DeVet, believes Jacob and Maude House would be especially proud of the younger House family member's efforts.

"Jacob and Maude House were very enthusiastic about young people taking initiative and making something of their lives," DeVet said.

"They were quiet people, not drawing attention to themselves. They would be astounded that their son had chosen to set up a memorial to them. They would be very pleased with the choice of the library. Children, education, and helping others learn to help themselves were three strong values in their lives."

Joe and Cinda DeVet, of Houston, Texas, plan to donate the money to purchase a computer for the library so that students may use it for research and so the books can be cataloged.

Tricia Eichholtz's goal is to acquire 2,006 books.

"I thought it would be cool if I made a goal that was the same number of books as the year that I completed the project. I think that will be 2006," Tricia Eichholtz said.